Golden Hour at Zion National Park
Utah, United States — Towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons.
Golden hour at Zion National Park varies from 41 minutes in the morning to 41 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:45 in January to 07:39 in December. Towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:45 | 17:37 | 39m | 39m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
| Feb | 07:20 | 18:10 | 36m | 36m | 105° ESE | 255° WSW |
| Mar | 07:42 | 19:38 | 34m | 35m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:57 | 20:06 | 35m | 35m | 77° ENE | 283° WNW |
| May | 06:23 | 20:33 | 37m | 37m | 65° ENE | 295° WNW |
| Jun | 06:11 | 20:53 | 39m | 39m | 59° ENE | 301° WNW |
| Jul | 06:23 | 20:52 | 38m | 38m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Aug | 06:48 | 20:25 | 36m | 36m | 72° ENE | 288° WNW |
| Sep | 07:14 | 19:41 | 34m | 34m | 86° E | 274° W |
| Oct | 07:40 | 18:56 | 35m | 35m | 100° E | 260° W |
| Nov | 07:11 | 17:22 | 38m | 38m | 113° ESE | 247° WSW |
| Dec | 07:39 | 17:15 | 41m | 41m | 119° ESE | 241° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Zion National Park
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: June
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Zion National Park?
- Golden hour at Zion National Park varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 41m and evening 41m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Zion National Park?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:45 in January to 07:39 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Zion National Park?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 119° ESE in winter to 59° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 241° WSW to 301° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Zion National Park?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are June, July, August.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Zion National Park?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:05. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Zion National Park?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Zion National Park?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Zion National Park during June, July, August. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Zion National Park good for astrophotography?
- Zion National Park has up to 2 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, July, August). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Bryce Canyon 81 km
- Horseshoe Bend 142 km
- Antelope Canyon 154 km
- Grand Canyon South Rim 159 km
- Monument Valley 262 km